Former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans (17-1-1) was back in Atlanta for tonight’s title-fight at UFC 145 against Jon Jones (15-1) where he was out for the same success he experienced the last time he stopped in town, deboning Chuck Liddell in a 2008 tilt. Their clash marked the climax of a yearlong build towards the bout highlighted by the public falling-out between the forming teammates at Greg Jackson’s gym in New Mexico.

When the smoke cleared Jones emerged with his hand raised after utilizing his range and creative approach to outpoint Evans in every round, even wobbling him early with a beautiful series of elbows. The victory was Jones’ fourth straight over a former divisional champion.

While MacDonald’s star was bright as ever, the other trio of aforementioned individuals all came up short in their outings including highlight-reel knockouts of Schaub and Torres. However, MacDonald was dominant against opponent Che Mills, battering the Brit with a barrage of blows from above to pick up the second round TKO.

From the live events I’ve been to, Joe will occasionally interview the winners on the prelims. Wonder Boy, for example, Joe hopped in the ring to interview after his spectacular head kick KO debut which was the first fight on the entire card, with a mostly empty arena at Mandalay Bay at that point.

I think it’s a subjective thing, where if they expect the fight will be aired (on delay) as part of PPV filler then he’ll do an interview. Otherwise, not so much. But now that every fight from bottom to top is being broadcast (and viewed) live it makes more sense to do some more interviewing, time constraints permitting of course.

Im not going to be a prick about it becuz I do enough of that already on this site but I fucking told you so. I think people let their hate or like of a fighter get the better of their judgment. They convince themselves of something that really isnt logical based on emotion. Jon was always going to negate Rashads wrestling and Rashad new it. Rashads best chance was never going to be holding Jones down or trying to get him there. His best chance was landing a big shot and he nearly did a couple of times. It was a good fight, although the pub I was at would scream at yhe top of their lungs (seriously) everytime Rashad threw a punch. So annoying. They slowly became more quiet as Rashad became more quiet.
P.S. Rothwell looked in the shape of his life. I hope his piss isnt full of a little something.

LF its becuz Rashad is a really good fighter now. Rashad has every right to call himself #2 in the world imo. I would like to see Hendo, Mo, Cavalcante and Mousassi have a crack at the UFC LHW elite though. Despite what anyone thinks it is hard to get a feel for how good these guys are until they start mixing it up in the cage. Hendo vs Jones, Cavalcante vs Shogun, Mo vs Rashad and Mousasi vs Lyoto would be a great place to start.

I was shocked at Rashad’s complete inability to execute a viable gameplan. He didn’t even try. One takedown attempt, completely half-assed.

I felt like there were several spots in the fight where Jones pulled moves just to say he *could* finish Evans any time. The guillotine he used on Machida being one, and pulling guard being another show of strength.

I wanted Evans to win, but no go I guess. I still think Hendo has the best shot, since the right hand has game-ending potential any time, any fight.

Darth, Jones has done a lot of damage from the clinch and grapple. For Rashad to just try to wrestle Jones would have been suicide. He put Vera, Matyushenko, Bader, Bonnar, Shogun, Hammil and now Rashad on their backs from the clinch or grapple, he also submitted Machida from the clinch. Jones is not exactly somebody you want to grapple with. Rashads gameplan was to box Jones and catch him before any kind of serious TD attempt I think. He just couldnt do it, although he came close a couple of times. The head kick was nice and it could have ended the fight on a different night. Personally I think Rashad had a good gameplan and that was not to grapple for the most part. You could see 9 times out of 10 that Jones got the better of the grapple/clinch situation, landing more strikes and even getting the take down himself. Rashad did better than anyone else ever has so he did something right.

I am, if nothing else, consistent. I called Hardy over GSP, Okami over Silva, Hamill over Rampage, and now Rashad over Jones. I’m just sorry I brought a few of you along with me.

As for this line LOGIC..”I think people let their hate or like of a fighter get the better of their judgment. They convince themselves of something that really isnt logical based on emotion. ”
You’re absolutely right. That’s why we love sports. Tell a Cubs fan that they’ll never win the World Series, or a Buccaneers fan that they’ll never win the Superbowl or a Wanderlei Silva fan that he’ll never hold another belt, and you’ll get the same answer. “It could happen.”

Mousasi vs Lyoto I’ll give you but Mo shouldnt get any better than Bader or someone else first. Mousasi has a worldwide name, Mo shouldnt get thrown to the lions so fast. Cavalcante would be better served to the Mauler…..I still feel Shogun is just a little out of his proven range. But I do agree the SF elite need to come over otherwise they’ll just fight each other till the end of time.

Not a bad card overall. Jones was slightly tentative but, understandable. Either way Rashad had nothing to offer all night. He got a few clean shots but, never had Jones in any danger.

He tried to be all cute juking around that one time and after eating a few more elbows that was it. After the 1st round Rashads eyes looked defeated and it got worse after each round.

Rashad is not much different than Rampage. He talked and talked and made all these grand guarantees of victory and domination and really couldn’t do much. He didn’t get finished but, that was less his skills and more Jones being a bit tentative and respecting Rashads right hand.